Wildlifeof Thailand
Common Hawk-Cuckoo
Cuculidae
Photo: Dhruvaraj S · CC BY 4.0 (May be cropped or resized)
Hierococcyx varius
Basic stats
Diet
Insects, especially hairy caterpillars
Habitat
Woodland, scrub and gardens
Range
South Asia
Size
34cm
The common hawk-cuckoo resembles a shikra, with grey upperparts, barred underparts, yellow eyes and a long tail, but its persistent rising call gives it the name brainfever bird. It inhabits woodland, scrub and gardens across South Asia, feeding heavily on caterpillars, including hairy species avoided by many birds. Females lay in babbler nests, where the foster parents rear the cuckoo chick (Wikipedia, general species account). It is Nationally Least Concern (Thailand Red Data 2025).
Quick answers
- What does the Common Hawk-Cuckoo eat?
- Insects, especially hairy caterpillars
- What habitat does the Common Hawk-Cuckoo live in?
- Woodland, scrub and gardens
- Where is the Common Hawk-Cuckoo found?
- South Asia
- How big is the Common Hawk-Cuckoo?
- 34cm